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India's prime minister Manmohan Singh has undergone successful coronary artery bypass surgery and his condition was stable after a seven hour operation, local media reported today.

A senior government official described the operation as “successful”.

The 76-year-old leader may be unable to return to work for several weeks.

A general election is due by May this year and Mr Singh is expected to continue as prime minister if the coalition led by his Congress party wins. However, the surgery could mean that Mr Singh will not be able to carry out full vote campaigning.

The main election battle is between the Congress-led government and a coalition led by the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

Mr Singh underwent bypass surgery in 1990 in Britain. He also underwent wrist surgery in 2006, a prostate gland surgery and a cataract removal procedure last year.